Volksfahren: VW/Audi/Porsche

Weak Dollar claims another Hybrid

Even though as little as a month ago, Audi said they were going to bring over a hybrid version of the mighty Q7, it looks like they have backed away from that plan all together now. They are claiming that the weak US dollar is again to blame for this. Audi as also backed away from bringing a hybrid Q5 over - so on the Q5 side, it looks like we'll only see the gas variaty here stateside.

12-hours of Sebring. The winner is...

Okay, we're not going to ruin it for you. If you want to find out who won the 12-hours of Sebring, click the jump. One thing we can say, however, is that it's looking up to be a great year for the American Le Mans Series.

If you would rather just wait to watch it play out on TV (of find it on a torrent) just move along to the next story...

Porsche and VW Marriage Analysis

Canadian publication, Report on Business, has a tasty read on the marriage of VW and Porsche and how it will help -- or possibly hinder -- VW's attempt to kick Toyota from the #1 position. It's a long road ahead, and these are not two companies that have always gotten along with each other...

It's hard to say whether ownership by Porsche will help VW's North American, and global, ambitions. So far it looks like Porsche will benefit more than VW from the deal, one that seems driven by the European Union's proposed emissions standards. Because of their powerful engines, the Porsche sports cars and SUVs produce vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Re-engineering the engines to meet the new EU standards would be impossible, unless Porsche decided to reinvent itself as an econo-box maker. The solution is to buy a car maker - VW - with much lower carbon dioxide emissions. When the Porsches are rolled into the VW lineup, the average fleet emissions should fall to a level that will keep the EU's green police at bay.

[ Report on Business ]

Audi Q5 Rumblings Ramble On

More news on the inevitable Audi Q5, this time from Autoblog (and quoting Autoweek):

The Audi Q5 will reportedly make its official debut at the Bejing Motor Show next month and with Porsche's increased stake in the Volkswagen group – going from 31-percent to more than 50-percent – that means that VAG and Porsche might begin to finally play nice again with platform sharing.

Initially, the new Q5 was supposed to underpin Porsche's own mini 'ute, but rumors suggested that Audi's board nixed the idea for fear that a Porsche model sharing the same platform could steal sales from the new CUV. That's about to change as Porsche gets a few seats on VAG's board, and according to Autoweek, development of the vehicle-formerly-known as the Roxster is back in full swing.

[ Autoblog.com ]

Test drive of Audi R8 V12 TDI

The guys at Fourtitude have driven the Le Mans Prototype R8 V12. I officially hate them now. Here's the juicy bits:

Power delivery is something akin to what I’ve felt from the big W-12 twin turbo fitted in the Bentley Continental GT. It simply doesn’t feel as fast as the R8 4.2, but the speedo says it is. Delivery is smoothly brutal and that makes gauging pace hard to do. The low noise level, save intake suckage, is another factor. It’s there but not snarling like the R8 4.2.

I’m on to third and I want to keep on it, but my co-driver (read: minder) starts motioning his hand down. Alas, I’m caught red-handed, but it is what it is.

I’ve driven the Audi R8 V12 TDI and even wrung it out a bit. When I run into Audi Sport team driver Allan McNish at the track, he mentions he hasn’t been able to do more yet than sit in the car. Alas, while talking to Allan that’s my only bragging right. He’s nabbed pole for the 12 Hours and I think that’s trump. Oh yeah, he’s also got a couple Le Mans wins under his belt.

As for the R8 V12 TDI, Audi executives refuse to be pinned down on actual production of a car such as this. If they did, they’d have instant credibility given their diesel wins in races like Sebring and Le Mans. The current R8 is sold-out for months, with V-10 and open-top variants already in the pipeline. It’s possible that an R8 V12 TDI could be sold, or Audi could wait until the car’s successor - presumably something with a longer wheelbase to accept this big engine. For now, time will have to tell; Audi’s staff isn’t saying boo.

[ fourtitude.com ]

TDI Cup Dates Announced

Racing is cool. Diesel is cool. Put them together in a single spec-class and you have a whole new level of cool:

Volkswagen of America and SCCA Pro Racing have announced the eight dates comprising the 2008 schedule of the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race series.

Making its debut on American shores this summer, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series is an innovative approach to motorsports. The Jetta TDI Cup is composed of 30 factory-prepared and managed 2008 clean-diesel Jetta TDIs, piloted by talented drivers aged 16 to 26, who are relative unknowns in the industry. Volkswagen’s goal is to find the driver with the most talent and help them break into the world of professional motorsports.

Audi and Peugeot Go Toe to Toe this Weekend

If you’re an ALMS (American Le Mans Series) race fan, this weekend is the start of the 2008 season with the 12 Hours of Sebring. While Audi has dominated the series in recent years, it is up for some competition this year in the form of the Peugeot 908. The most remarkable thing about this race is Peugeot is out to beat Audi at its own game, using a diesel powered race car. There was a technicality during the qualifing and it cost Peugeot the pole, so its going to be a hotly contested race for sure. I know I’m setting my DVR to record!

 

Here is you’re top 10 on the starting grid:

1 – Audi R10

2 – Peugeot 908

3 – Audi R10

4 – Porsche RS Spyder

5 – Porsche RS Spyder

6 – Acura ARX-01B

7 – Porsche RS Spyder

8 – Acura ARX-01B

9 – Lola B06/10

10 – Porsche RS Spyder

 

Let’s not forget the start of the 2008 F1 series this weekend as well.

VW Sponsors 2008 Summer Olympic Games

Volkswagen has signed on to be the official vehicle of the 2009 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. This includes sending a fleet of Audis, Volkswagens and Skodas for the committees. Visiting groups may not be able to breathe in Beijing from all the pollution, but at least they'll be rolling in Teutonic style. Here's the official PR:

More than 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries will be competing in the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing from 8-24 August, 2008. Athletes will be competing for gold, silver and bronze in 28 disciplines. Volkswagen is supporting the Organisation Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing (BOCOG) as national main sponsor.

As exclusive automobile partner, the Volkswagen Group will be providing the Organisation Committee with a fleet of about 6,000 vehicles. It consists of 4,350 Volkswagens, 650 Skodas and 1,000 Audi-brand cars.

The company in Wolfsburg will be presenting itself during the Olympic Games with a showcase on the Olympic grounds. Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda will each present two models in the 2,000 square-metre-large pavilion under the mottos "Present and Future" (Volkswagen), "Past and Present" (Audi) and "Past and Future" (Skoda).

Volkswagen will be making a further contribution with its support of the international torch relay. An extensive fleet of vehicles will accompany the torch bearers along the legs through Greece and China. Volkswagen is involved world-wide as sponsor of the National Olympic Committees in Algeria, Greece, Ireland, Croatia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Slovania.

For the first time in history of the Olympic Games, this mega sports event is being held in the People's Republic of China. Four million visitors are expected. Participation as a national main sponsor is an important component in the Volkswagen Group's strategy for successful involvement Asia's most important car market.

Scirocco Video Clip

That awesome UK magazine, EVO, has what appears to be a canned video of the new Scirocco. The announcer is surprisingly bland, but the car looks good.

[ EVO.uk: Scirocco Video ]

Electronic Stabilization Standard in 2009

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) will be standard equipment on every 2009 model year Volkswagen vehicle – passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and minivans. By offering ESP as a standard feature, Volkswagen is the first non-luxury manufacturer to include an electronic stabilization system at no additional cost on every vehicle it sells – well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring all 2012 model year vehicles to have such systems.

“Volkswagen has long been a leader in making high technology accessible to all,” said Volkswagen of America, Inc. CEO Stefan Jacoby. “ESP has been available on all Volkswagens in the US for several years. Now, making ESP standard across our entire line reinforces Volkswagen’s commitment to safety for all our customers, and further shows why we are a market leader in offering some of the safest vehicles on the road today.”

NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if all automakers included electronic stabilization systems as standard equipment.

Volkswagen’s ESP system uses a number of electronic vehicle controls to make a safe car even safer and helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle during dynamic driving conditions. The ESP system works in conjunction with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Anti-slip Regulation (ASR), components of the Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) system, and additional sensors.